This was a large barn well alight.
The only source of water was watercress beds these are shallow and
and contain only a limited supply of water and using this would
have meant that his earnings from cress would have ceased and the
beds would probably have to be re laid.
To get a supply of water proved impossible, and hard work would
be needed to cut through roofs and prevent spread. firemen were
detained overnight.
the cause of the fire was unknown